3. Will This Time Be Different? Effects of Large-Scale Technological Change in Advanced Democracies

Technologies such as artificial intelligence, virtual reality, robotics, the Internet of Things, 3D printing and cloud computing have the potential to bring far-reaching change to work, production and many aspects of human living. Indeed, these innovations already may have initiated a period of disruptive change in the world economy. It transpired during previous major epochs of technological change that robust democratic systems and complementary institutions to mitigate tensions and risks are particularly important during such periods. It follows that the pressures now experienced in many democracies are likely to hinder management of the effects of ongoing technological changes. Another complicating factor is that the effects of these changes and other economic developments seem to be aggravating the pressures on democratic systems. Hence, this chapter argues that effective management of these challenges requires attention to the resilience of democratic institutions as well as appropriate policy responses to disruptive effects of technological changes.